The state chronicle., 1887-05-05

Speeches by Distinguished Gentlemen
Ball Night---A Sad Accident Mars
the Occasion.
Especial Cor. STATE CHRONICLE.l
CLINTON, N c., April 90, 19s7.-The
territory now called Sampson county was
once part of Duplin county, from which
it was separated during the Summer of
| 1884. The name Sampson was given it in
honor of Col John Sampson. This gen
| tleman was sent hither as a Missionary to
the Indians by Archbishop Vaughan, of
| Ireland. He established a school at Samp-
son Hall, two miles North of what is now
! Clinton. The school did not prosper and
soon broke down, because the young 1ndi-
ans enjoyed the freedom of the wild woods
more than the confinement of the school
! room. Quite a number of negro slaves
were attached to the plantation, which
was worked for many years. Very little
is known of the life of Col. Sampson. He
married a lady whose name was Clinton.
The old Duplin county court house, so
am informed, used to stand a few miles
from the town now known as Warsaw.
What is the country noted for? First,
! knowing whereof | speak, it is noted for as
kind and hospitable people as will be found
in any county in the State. l reckon they
come about as near living at home and
boarding at the same place as any people
in our State.
Second, from what have personally OBJ
served and from reliable information given
me, think that | can safely say that there
is no county in the State that can surpass
Sampson in diversity of soil.
Third, DR.. W. c. Kerr says the mineral
wealth of the eastern section Of the coun-
ty, in the form of mari, is worth ten told
more than that of all the rest of the State.
Phosphate rock is also deposited in large
quantities in various portions of the county.
Fourth, Where. Q where can be found
| the man, woman or child that has never
| heard of the famous big Sampson blue
huckleberries. They are larger, sweeter,
bluer and grow in larger quantities than
anywhere else, don't care where it may be.
They are shipped North every season by
| the thousands of bushels; and would not
be at all surprised if large per cent. of
! the so-called currents of to-day that our
mothers and wives put in cakes and other
| goodies are our beloved Sampson blues.
The town was named in honor of Gen.
| Clinton, of the Revolutionary War. Not
| withstanding for years back Clinton has
been what is called an inland town, with
! not half of the advantages of a good many
other towns | know. it has with its deter
mined pushing business men outstrlpped
some of her sister towns along the lines of
railroads.
Ever since Clinton has been a town the
only way, until within the last few weeks,
to get here from the W. l. W. Railroad
was to hire a team either from Warsaw or
Faison, both of which places are about IA
miles away provided the sun has not been
shining hot for several days and the sand
a good portion of the way is not over six
or eight inches deep then it is about
"a miles. But that way of travelling to
| Clinton Is now but a recollection of the
past, and with this writer some of those
recollections will ever dwell pleasantly,
for he remembers agreeable companions
on the old road But the old way of get
ting freight and travellers to the county
seat of Sampson is no more No longer
any use for the wagon trains and horse
flesh, for on the 2.th of April the iron
horse, pulling six coaches. darted into the
village, putting and blowing and darting
its smoke into the ewes of all pasSers by
The day was all that could be asked for to
celebrate the occasion. BY II 0 clock there
We're at least :, 800 to 5000 people in town
They came from everywhere. | said to a
gentleman, DO you know anyone here
who never saw an englne.' Yes, said
he. look over there to your left, holding
OH to one another, standing on the big pile
of lumber They never saw or heard an
engine before, since God put breath into
their bodies.
The incoming train brought the three
military companies, GOldsboro, Whining
, ton aud Clinton. and soon they were busy
forming into line. The three companies
formed in a line, headed by the Whining
ton band, (Which by the way can't be sur
passed by any band in the State, and did
credit to themselves and the town from
which they haled). Marching up to the
court house the companies stacked arms
and broke ranks to partake of "a banquet
that had been prepared by the Sampson
boys for their guests. At 2 O'Clock the
crowd. now swelled TO not less than 3, 800.
assembled in the college grove to hear the
speaking.
| would like to be able to give each
speech as it was rendered, but that is i'm
possible. Mr.. D. B. Nicholson, editor of
the Caucasian, delivered the address of
welcome He said that Clinton for some
years had felt the necessity of having a
railroad, ard now they had it they were
glad to see their friends here to help them
celebrate it. 1t was genuine speech of
welcome to all; he did not leave out any
one and he spoke as from the heart.
Col Thos s. Kenan next spoke con
graduating the Clinton people upon get
ting the railroad. and said that this day
: was the next biggest day in the history OF
Clinton; that the biggest day was in 1874
when the county was formed He said
many pleasant things that entertained and
interested the crowd.
Capt. Swift Galloway was next called fol
in such good manner to show plain J
his popularity among the Samp son peo
, pie. With that style that no one but the
, Captain possesses, he delivered in a very
appropriate speech beautiful chair to Mr.
J. l.. Stewart, given to him by his friends
, as a useful article to rest himself in after
his hard work in securing the railroad.
Major McClammy, Congressman elect
from this District, Was next introduced
He spoke about fifteen minutes and pre-
sented to Mr.. A F. Johnson very hand
some cane as mark of appreciation o
his friends for the very active part he hat
| taken to secure the railroad; Mr.. johnson
replied and thanked his friends. He tolt
! them that he had heard of the Interstate
, Commerce bill and all about the long hau
and short haul. He said you have had tn,
long haul from the other speakers an(
now / will give you the short haul.
Charles B. Aycock, Esq, of Goldsboro
. was seen by many out on the outskirts o
the crowd and the call for ''Aycook, Ay
COCK was heard on all Sides He wa
e carried on the stand, and made an excel
S lent Speech that was received with mucI